You might not think much about how your air conditioner functions, but it needs refrigerant to keep your residence cold. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental laws, since it contains chemicals.
Based on when your air conditioner was put in, it may need R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll discuss the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Hodgenville, plus how these phaseouts have on influence on you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was added before 2010, it possibly contains Freon®. You can learn if your air conditioner uses it by contacting us at 270-358-3167. You can also look at the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is situated outside your home. This sticker will include details on what model of refrigerant your AC uses.
Freon, which is also known as R-22, has chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that contributes to global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
Should I Replace My R-22 Air Conditioner?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running fine, you can continue to keep it. With regular air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your AC to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy says that replacing a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on summertime cooling expenses!
If you don’t replace your air conditioner, it may cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair down the road, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be pricier, as only small levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is on hand.
With the phaseout of R-22, many new air conditioners now have Puron®. Also called R-410A, this refrigerant was made to keep the ozone layer in good shape. As it requires a different pressure level, it doesn’t match air conditioners that rely on R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the likelihood to contribute to global warming. As a consequence, it might also eventually be phased out. Although it hasn’t been mandated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s likely sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Replace R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have initiated using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant is classified low for global warming likelihood—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy expenditure by approximately 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be forwarded on to you through your energy costs.
Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In short, the changes to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t affect you greatly until you have to have repairs. But as we went over beforehand, refrigerant repairs might be more expensive since there are the reduced amounts that are accessible.
Aside from that, your air conditioner often stops working at the worst time, typically on the hottest day when we’re getting lots of other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner relies on a phased out refrigerant or is more than 15 years old, we suggest installing a modern, energy-efficient air conditioner. This delivers a stress-free summer and may even decrease your electrical costs, especially if you get an ENERGY STAR®-rated model. Plus, Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. offers many financing programs to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 270-358-3167 to begin right away with a free estimate.
